Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

He had previously worked for the Xu family, and that very day he relayed his words back to his former employer. Upon hearing that their social class was incompatible, the Xu family immediately declared: "No discussion."

But a month later.

In the Xu family's courtyard, the pomegranate tree has just begun to bear green fruit.

"Ya-Ling, you're already twenty-three! You've met over a dozen guys in the last few months, and not a single one has caught your eye? If you keep putting it off, all the good young men will be snatched up!"

Xu Jianwei sat in a wicker chair, his round belly protruding, sighing as he looked at his daughter. He was in his early fifties, with a ruddy complexion, and looked like he had lived a life of luxury.

"Dad! What kind of people have you been recommending to me?"

Xu Yaling pouted, twisting the end of her braid with her fingers, her face full of disgust: "So tacky! Standing there, you look like a dried sorghum stalk, it makes me want to vomit! Sleeping in the same bed every day from now on? I... I'd rather be a widow!"

She was praised as "the most beautiful girl in the surrounding area" since childhood, which instilled in her an air of arrogance. Ordinary people wouldn't even bother to glance at her.

"Farmers and workers do come from the lower classes and look rather simple, but the winds have changed now. The only way to maintain our family's class background is to marry into their families—so that we won't be dragged out and investigated in the future. This is a helpless predicament."

Xu Jianwei sighed.

"But Dad, I really look down on those men! Why don't you lower your standards a bit? I'll marry a worker, no need for someone whose family has been farmers for three generations, okay, Dad!"

Xu Yaling shook her father's arm, her voice soft and sweet, her eyes sparkling, looking every bit the spoiled child.

Xu Jianwei was so annoyed by the pestering that he had no choice but to nod in agreement.

At worst, the whole family can pack up and run away to hide overseas!

"Old Zhang mentioned a couple of days ago that the deputy security captain at our textile factory is quite handsome, and his younger brother works as a fitter at the First Machinery Factory. I heard he's quite reliable and should be dependable. I'll ask him to make the connection and arrange for you two to meet."

And so, Li Guoxian's younger brother, Li Guofang, met Xu Yaling from the Xu family.

Li Guofang is Xiuxiu's eldest son. Like Li Guotao, he grew up being overshadowed and stepped on by his older brother Li Guoxian.

In addition, Xiuxiu had no status in the Li family and even had to lower her eyes when she spoke. He was influenced by what he saw and heard, and his personality naturally became more and more introverted. He was careful in his actions, didn't talk much, and didn't like to stand out.

The reason Li Guoxian was so concerned about arranging his younger brother's wedding was because he had always felt guilty—he had used his two younger brothers as punching bags back then, which had worn down their edges and made them timid and honest.

Now I just want to find them a safe place to settle down, so that I can atone for some of the old debts.

The meeting went smoothly. Xu Yaling took a liking to Li Guofang at first sight: he was tall and straight, with clear features and a fair complexion that didn't look like someone who had done heavy work, and his every move exuded a certain taciturnity. She was quick-witted and soon figured him out after a few casual words—he was unassuming, gentle, and always willing to compromise, which suited a girl like her who was used to making decisions and had a bit of a temper.

Li Guofang remembered his father's three pieces of advice before he left home:

"My daughter-in-law must be beautiful! Beautiful! And exceptionally beautiful!"

And so, the marriage was arranged.

Of course, Li Guoxian had privately instructed his younger brother: their father used to be a businessman, and not a single word of this could be revealed; they should only say that he was a clerk in a foreign firm before liberation, and that the firm was dissolved and he was now unemployed at home. As for the foreign firm affair, they had to insist that he was an "employee" and not mention any commercial aspect.

The real challenge is getting to meet both sets of parents.

When Xu Jianwei first met Li Guofang, his brows furrowed into a knot.

It wasn't that he disliked the man—tall and well-built, with a clean-cut face, he looked like a neat and capable young man; but this kind of demeanor didn't seem like that of someone raised in a peasant family.

But he couldn't resist his daughter's persistent pleading, and seeing that the other party was indeed receiving a salary and had formal employee status in a state-owned factory, he finally had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Next, it was Xu Yaling's turn to visit Li Guofang's father, Li Wenguo.

The private room of the state-run restaurant was filled with a warm and fragrant aroma.

"Hello, Uncle Li!"

"Hello, Aunt Shen!"

Xiuxiu's original surname was Shen, and her full name was Shen Xiuxiu.

Born in 1923, he is currently 42 years old.

Having been meticulously cared for by Li Wenguo for many years, she has maintained her appearance extremely well, looking no more than thirty years old: her features are delicate, her skin is smooth and creamy, and the full and ample curve of her chest always makes people unable to help but take a second look.

If viewed from the side, the lower abdomen is already slightly protruding, clearly indicating pregnancy.

She was dressed loosely, so people just assumed she had a fuller figure.

"Yes, please sit down."

Li Wenguo glanced at Xu Yaling, and his brows furrowed even more instantly.

This girl had delicate features, a composed demeanor, and an air of utter nonchalance—she was the epitome of a spoiled young lady.

These are unusual times; no matter how capable he is, he can't change the course of events. He can only try to avoid trouble.

The marriage of a merchant's daughter posed no risk to him; what he truly worried about was whether his mild-mannered and honest son would be completely dominated by this young lady, leaving not even a trace of him.

As for Xiuxiu, she was bought into the family by Li Wenguo for a few silver dollars. In the Republic of China era, she was not even considered a person. Her master would beat and scold her at any time, and her life and death were at the mercy of others. Later, she was treated as a maid by several concubines in the Li family. Over time, she developed a submissive nature and always harbored some fear and inferiority in her heart.

Now that she sees her daughter-in-law is the apple of a wealthy family's eye, she is not intimidated at all; on the contrary, she is secretly delighted—this is a good omen for her to finally hold her head high!

"Comrade Xiao Xu!"

"Uncle Li, you can just call me Ya Ling."

Xu Yaling responded gracefully, her posture dignified and her tone humble, revealing a rare level of good manners.

She had a keen eye: Li Wenguo had a calm and composed demeanor. Although he was sixty years old, he looked like he had just passed the age of forty. He was no ordinary person. Naturally, she dared not be presumptuous and left a trail of respect in her words.

"Ya-Ling, what kind of business does your family do?"

After finishing his sentence, he went straight to the point—taking stock of the family's assets.

Throughout the conversation, Xu Yaling remained composed, spoke clearly and eloquently, and her words were perfectly appropriate, leaving no room for criticism.

But precisely because of this, Li Wenguo's heart sank even more—he feared that after his son got married, she would control him so tightly that he would lose his own opinions and live under her watchful eye.

Of course, this is ultimately just speculation. After all, he hasn't even figured out whether Xu Yaling is soft or hard, resilient or fragile at heart. Perhaps she really is as gentle and composed as she appears?

Unfortunately, things were rushed, and there wasn't time to secretly investigate her background. After this meeting, the marriage would have to be officially put on the agenda; if they backed down then, not only would the Xu family lose face, but the reputation that the Li family had built up over the years would also be tarnished.

"Ya-Ling, you know the current situation is special, and your family's background is sensitive. If you really enter the Li family, you'll likely face endless trouble from now on, and you won't be able to avoid it!"

Li Wenguo frowned, his tone heavy, seemingly troubled, but actually testing her temper—to see if she would explode at the slightest provocation, or turn on him.

If that's the case, then you absolutely must not marry this woman!

Hearing the reluctance in her husband's words, Xiu Xiu's heart tightened, and she quickly interjected, "No, Uncle Li, don't worry! After I marry Guofang, I will stay at home peacefully, be a good wife and mother, and never run away from home, much less cause any trouble for your family."

Xu Yaling quickly chimed in, her tone light but with a barely perceptible hint of bitterness.

He smiled bitterly to himself: These days, these young ladies from old families are really like drowning dogs being chased around, with everyone avoiding them for fear of getting even a little bit of bad luck on them!

"You can't hide the truth forever, and you can't keep a secret forever. What if the wind suddenly changes and the authorities come to investigate? Can you stop them? The Li family will be implicated."

"I think we should be more cautious about this marriage."

Having said that, the intention to politely decline was quite clear.

Xu Yaling frowned slightly, her fingertips quietly digging into her palm.

This old man's every word is like a knife; he's definitely not easy to deal with!

Having finally found such a reliable candidate after careful selection, how could she easily give up on him?

"Uncle Li, although the overall environment is tight, businessmen have long since lost their claws. Their money is in the hands of the government, and they have to watch where the wind blows even when they breathe. How can they cause any trouble? It's safest for both sides to keep to their own ways. You can rest assured!"

Before she finished speaking, she subtly tugged at Li Guofang's sleeve, her eyes urging him to speak.

However, under his father's oppressive presence, Li Guofang kept his head down lower than a quail, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, but he didn't utter a single sound.

What a loser!

A hopeless case!

Xu Yaling gritted her teeth inwardly, too afraid to utter a single word when meeting her boyfriend.

Unexpectedly, Xiu Xiu, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "Master, Ya Ling is right. The Shang family has long lost its foundation and can't cause any trouble—besides, our family has connections in **, so we're not afraid at all..."

Before she could finish speaking, Li Wenguo gave her a cold look, and Xiu Xiu's voice trembled. She became increasingly hesitant as she spoke, and finally fell silent.

Oh shit!

That stupid woman, she's only focused on how pretty someone's face is; her brain is completely mush!

How could Li Wenguo, a man who had shared a bed with Xiuxiu for over twenty years, not know Xiuxiu's thoughts? But he was thinking about it for his son, not stopping her from marrying him—he had already said this much, and if he refused outright, he would seem harsh and difficult.

If it weren't for saving face for her, Li Wenguo would have already given her a good scolding to wake her up!

Sure enough, Xu Yaling, quick-witted and sharp-eyed, seized the opportunity to continue the conversation: "Aunt Shen is right, Uncle Li. My father also said that at most they would just take away the shop and the account books. Merchants are unarmed, and even the government has to consider its reputation."

"Dad, don't worry. I'm a worker now. The factory shouts 'Workers are the most glorious' every day, and I even went on stage to receive an award wearing a big red flower. Why would the government make things difficult for the family members of workers?"

Li Guofang was finally forced to look up by Xu Yaling's repeated stares. His voice was not loud, but he spoke clearly, word by word.

"Hmm... I'll think about it some more. Let's eat first."

Li Wenguo waved his hand, brushing the matter aside lightly.

For his son's sake, he couldn't give in too quickly.

Xu Yaling left with a hint of sadness in her eyes, arm in arm with Li Guofang.

Her heart pounded: This matter is probably doomed!

How about... we do it first and ask questions later?

She glanced sideways at the tall and handsome Li Guofang beside her, her mind racing with calculations.

At that moment, the door to the private room had just closed.

"Are you out of your mind? I'm talking, what are you doing interrupting?!"

"Doesn't it need a beating? What kind of brain do you have? Was it kicked by a donkey or crushed by a door...?"

Li Wenguo pointed at Xiuxiu, who was bowing her head and shrugging her shoulders, and roared at her, his chest heaving, his anger raging.

After cursing, he stared intently at Xiu Xiu's alluring figure, poked the door with his finger, and said in a voice as rough as sandpaper grinding iron, "Lock the door from the inside! And take off your clothes!"

The fire in my heart was burning fiercely.

This time, however, Li Wenguo almost caused a major disaster.